Posts Tagged ‘dream hunter’

This one finally takes us back to New Orleans where it all started (and where I feel at home with this series). While it does focus on another “Dream-Hunter”, it has the feel of the Dark-Hunter books, and we see many of the Dark-Hunter characters (including Ash), in this one.

Simone Dubois is a medical examiner with an added advantage (or disadvantage, depending on who you ask). She can see and communicate with ghosts, giving her the ability to aid the police department on murder cases. While most on the department are unaware of her abilities, she has specifically befriended one agent, who is no stranger to paranormal activity (considering he is also a Squire to the Dark-Hunters). She was orphaned at a young age (her mother and siblings were murdered in front of her, and her father took his own life shortly thereafter). Lonely, and constantly burdened with the fear of abandonment, she does have one best friend that has been there since she was a little girl (a sweet and quirky male ghost – Jesse - in perpetual state of teenage-hood). While he was there to comfort her as a child, he too, has felt consoled, since she is the only human who can see him. Together, they “grew up”, and have never left each other’s side.

 Jesse rolled his eyes. “Their ogling you, dude. Talking about your assets and the fact that you’re nauseatingly ripped, which I would have been had I not bit the dust at seventeen.” He puffed out his chest, trying to make himself look more muscular. “I’m forever trapped in my tall, gangly phase.”

The notoriously dangerous but exquisite “Xypher” (a Skotos/Dream-Hunter), renowned for his dangerous ways, has been granted temporary reprieve from his incessant torture in Tartarus, by Hades, (to aid Sin and Kat in their hunt for the Gallu demons).

Having only a few weeks of freedom (on earth) left, he unintentionally runs into Simone during an attack on her life. During the struggle, a Daimon wraps bracelets around their wrists, and they quickly realize that they are bound to each other (thanks to a devious scheme by Stryker’s sister to kill Xypher).

You see, at one time, they (Xypher and Satara) were in love, (or so he thought), and their connection eventually landed him in Tartarus/hell (I’ll let you find out why). Now that he has been temporarily released, Satara is certain he is coming for her to take revenge, and her solution is to bind him to a weak human.

“Pass those along to one of my Spathi Daimons and have him secure one to Xypher and the other to a mortal and all your troubles are over.”

She smiled as she finally understood the significance of the bracelets. “They bind them…kill the mortal and Xypher dies.”

He inclined his head to her. “Even better than that, if the mortal gets more than twenty feet from him, the human dies…and so does he.”

If one dies, the other follows (and how easy is it for a human to die? VERY!). Along with that, they are bound physically, and must remain together at all times as physical distance will also kill them. All I can say is what an obviously convenient (but satisfyingly wonderful) setup for an unavoidable romantic connection!

Their personalities clash at first (Xypher is an angry god, no doubt due to his mistrust of women, and constant whippings and other tortures since being in hell). 

“What is wrong with you?”

His eyes flared in the darkness. “Be grateful, human, that you could never understand.”

Understand what? That he was an asshole? There was no excuse in that.

“You know, you’re not the only one with problems in this equation. I happen to have a life and a job. The last thing I need is to be pulling around a three-hundred-pound gorilla with a chip on his shoulder so big it’s a wonder he’s not hunch-backed from it.”

“I don’t weigh three hundred pounds.”

She arched a single brow at his retort. “No denying the gorilla part?”

“No.”

However they are forced to work together, and learn about life on a whole new level.

Xypher forced himself to look away from her and to squelch those thoughts. It wasn’t his fate to have a woman like her touch him in that way. He was an animal and he knew it. He’d been left alone too long, had been cast out to find his own way. Tenderness was for humans. It wasn’t for a renegade Skotos who was going to be taken back to hell in a few weeks.

Don’t go soft. Don’t let your guard down.

Sooner or later, he’d be taken back in Tartarus at the mercy of Hades. It’s taken centuries to harden himself so that he didn’t feel the steel-barbed lashes so deeply when they beat him. Centuries of learning how to not fall for the cruel mind games that Hades played.

Comfort on this plane would only weaken him when he returned.

It would make hell even more biting. That was something he couldn’t allow. It was bad enough. To soften his existence here…

No wonder Hades had agreed to let him loose for a month. The god of the Underworld had known exactly how much worse Xypher’s punishment would be after he’d tasted freedom.

Bastard.

Not only do they have to figure out how to release themselves from their forced mergence, but they have danger attacking from all angles. New and intriguing revelations from deep within this tale are slowly unveiling, and expanding this universe into infinite depths.

I bonded to them. I did! Their fights, their entanglements, and their eventual union…

“Push me away, Simone,” he said in her ear, his voice ragged.

“Is that what you want?”

“No,” he growled.

…was paced well enough that I followed them the whole way through. Who Xypher and Simone are differs greatly from who they can eventually be, proving to be a surprising and very rewarding twist.

I am even developing a certain fondness for a new character (Jaden), that I have seen in this book, and every book since (on first impression, he seems to be an evil and “unfeeling” go-between for the largest powers that be). However, similar to other characters in this series, the hardened exterior seems to be protecting a very tender heart.

Oh and, have I mentioned, in the past, just how much I love Hades? Weird…I know, but there it is! Tell me you don’t feel it too! 

Happy Halloween folks!! Thought I’d take a quick time-out to review the next in my list of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter/Dream-Hunter series. This one was called “Upon a Midnight Clear” and involves a female Oneroi (Dream-Hunter), who is sent to earth to aid a human male. It read like a short story, and I have a feeling it was meant to be one. It was somewhat disappointing, as it had a very “cookie-cutter” feel to it, and I did not bond in the least with any of the characters. In fact, I was more then irritated by the rich and gorgeous, yet ”anguished” human superstar actor, Aidan O’Connor (who was in early retirement).

Due to his huge mistrust of anyone that had ever claimed to “love” him, he had resigned himself to absolute seclusion, refusing any further job offers that his agent sent his way.  Betrayed by all his loved ones (from his brother and immediate family) to the love of his life, he is determined never to love or trust again, so that he can never again feel such hurt. He lives his life in solitary confinement (albeit quite luxurious), and allows his bitterness to seep out of every pore to anyone who attempts to approach him.

His eyes scalded her with their intense heat. “Then do what I do. Turn your tears into rage. Crying will only make you sick. But anger…anger infuses you. It strengthens you. It crawls through your body until you’re forced to act. There’s no dwindling of strength, no mewling blurry vision. It clears your head and focuses your actions. Most of all, it empowers you.”

“Is that why you stay angry?”

“Absolutely.”

While it would make sense that someone who has been betrayed to such an extent would become embittered towards the world, what baffled me was how such a famous and beloved actor could be betrayed to such extents, by those closest to him. I mean, following the themes of this series, such betrayal would be expected by demons and even certain gods, but by every mere mortal in his close proximity? Come on!! And the backstabbers rationale that motivated them to conspire against him…simply eye-rolling. The extents that they went to, to defile his public image, and how easily they all seemed to coerce others in their plot, suggested such weak-mindedness, that I was simply unable to relate.

Well, anyway, his biggest enemy (his imprisoned brother), manages to summon the most powerful god of pain (Dolor) and demands that he annihilate his famous brother in ways most excruciating. That is when the dream god “Leta” (sister of M’Adoc) is sent to help him.

Of course, there is a touch of romance to melt our hearts…

“What are you thinking?”

He smiled at her very human question as he wound her head in his silken hair. “I’m thinking about how wonderful you feel in my arms.”

Her smile made his heart soar and his groin jerk. “I’ve only been with you and my husband. I’d forgotten how incredible this could be.” Her eyes turned stormy. “Unlike you, I don’t like being alone.”

His grief and pain gathered in his throat to choke him, and he confided in her something he hadn’t confided on anyone – not even himself. “Neither do I. Alone sucks.”

She closed her eyes before she covered his hand with hers and turned her face into his palm to kiss it.

That single act shattered him. “If you betray me, Leta…kill me. Be kind and don’t let me live in the shadow of your cruelty. I can’t take another blow like that. I’m not that strong.”

…and the usual battle, and perhaps even a sad (or good) ending – I won’t say either way

It’s kind of a cute story to read (just don’t expect the detail and intricate plot of past novels in the series). Since this is a Christmas story, it would probably be well suited during a much needed, quick time-out, during the Christmas season. With an obvious, but sweet message, it was pleasant enough, in a “Lifetime Movie” sort of way. My favorite part is actually the end, when we get a Christmas Day glimpse into the lives of all of our favorite Dark-Hunters, Were-Hunters, and even Acheron. That was nice!

Not to fear, the next book in the series (which I have also finished), “Dream Chaser” kicks us back into high gear! We get to experience the lives of new main characters, and also savor some screen time with Acheron, Julian, and some Weres, once again, in our cozy setting of New Orleans. For some reason, it felt like I was home again

This is book one of a nice “spin-off” from the Dark-Hunters series. While we have been acquainted with Dream-Hunters in past novels, (and a sweet little short story called “Phantom Lover”), we get a deeper involvement into their realm, their rules, and their feelings (for an unemotional bunch, they sure do have lots of feelings). While we are introduced to many new characters, the reader is not completely disoriented, as we are indulged with cameos (specifically Katra, who is an important character here) that help the tale evolve. 

The majority of this story occurs in Greece, while Megeara Kafieri (Geary) takes her boat and crew on an expedition to find Atlantis. Being from a long line of archeologists, she is determined to help her deceased father regain his reputation (previously ruined by scholars who found his obsession with Atlantis to be ridiculous). While she too, once scoffed at his beliefs, a few ancient coins convince her to continue his crusade.

“If it takes me the rest of my life, I’m going to fulfill my word to you. We will find Atlantis. I swear it.”

But even as she spoke those words that were filled with her conviction, she couldn’t help wondering if she’d be able to withstand the ridicule her father had borne all of his professional life. Just six weeks ago she’d been granted her doctorate from Yale and she was supposed to be teaching in New York this fall. She was young to have attained so much, and great things were expected of her…by her and by the institutions and professors who’d bestowed that doctorate on her.

To walk this course would be nine kinds of stupid.

While she is usually serious and unemotional in public, she escapes when she sleeps and is frequently visited in her dreams by a gorgeous stranger named Arikos.

Arikos dipped his head down and captured her lips with his. Geary moaned at the sweet taste of him. There was no one on earth who tasted the way he did. No one who felt better in her arms, which was probably why he was relegated to her dreams.

But she was so glad to have him here.

She believes her subconscious has conjured him into her dreams. In reality, he is an ex-Oneroi (dream gods who “police” the Skoti), now turned Skotos (a god who can only feel emotions by feeding off of the dreams of humans), due to a malicious trick by his brother Solin. Geary’s vivid dreams attracted him to her, and they have developed an intense connection. 

“You’ve been spending too much time with the human. You need to move on to another.”

That was the way of it. A Skotos such as Arik was only tolerated to help drain humans of excess emotions. If Skoti spent too long with one person, they could, in theory, make the person go mad or even kill them.

The Skoti were normally given a single warning and if they failed to heed it, an Oneroi would be selected to either punish or eliminate them from existence. M’Ordant was one of many who monitored human sleep and who kept the Skoti in line.

“And if I don’t want to leave her?”

“Are you being argumentative?”

Arik gave him an arch stare. “How could I be?”

“Then you are done with her.” M’Ordant vanished.

The wisest course of action would be to heed his warning. But Arik was too drawn to his human to pay attention to M’Ordant’s words. After all, that would require fear…something Arik knew nothing about.

Closing his eyes, Arik could still smell the scent of Megeara’s flesh. Still taste the salty sweetness of her body on his hungry tongue. Feel her touch on his skin.

No, he wasn’t done with her. He was only beginning.

Weary of only seeing her in dreams, and knowing that their time together is coming to an end, he is determined to to seek her out for real.

Making a deal with the Greek god, Hades (god of the Underworld), he asks to become human for two weeks, so that they may connect. Hades accepts the offer in exchange for a human soul. As Arikos agrees to the deal, he realizes he has been tricked by Hades, when Hades demands the soul of the very woman Arik is going to see.

“Done.”

Hades clucked his tongue at Arik. “Child, how naive of you. You agreed too soon. It’s not just any soul I want.”

“Whose then?”

“I want the soul of the woman who compelled you to make a deal with the devil. Surely she must have a magnificent soul for you to come here and barter with me, the most despised of all gods.”

Arikos is suddenly thrown into the middle of the ocean in human form, and is left basically drowning. Geary and her crew notice the struggling man and rescue him. Recognizing him as the man of her dreams (literally), she is suspicious and keeps her distance. Having been refused permits yet again for her search of Atlantis, she is discouraged and about to lose her financial backing. Arikos overhears her rant, and seizes the opportunity to finally gain her trust by contacting his earth-bound wealthy half-god/half human brother and calling in a favor.

“I need permits for an American archaeologist to excavate Atlantis.”

Solin burst out laughing. “I know you’re insane now. Have they really found the site?”

“Does it matter?”

“On this plane of existence, yes. You start poking there and you’ll piss off people best left alone.”

“Since the human’s days are numbered, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. Let her have a bit of a thrill before she dies. What’s the harm?”

Solin sucked his breath in sharply between his teeth. “No you didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?” Arik asked.

“Promise a soul exchange with Hades. You do have nerve, I’ll grant you that.”

While the brothers are not close, and in fact, somewhat enemies (this is the same brother who caused Arik to turn Skotos), Solin recognizes a selfish potential for helping Arik with his human, and seizes the opportunity.

Katera (yes that ”Kat” – assistant to both the gods Artemis and Appollymi) poses as Geary’s friend and “crew-mate”. Privately, she has her own agenda to keep Geary from ever discovering Atlantis, and warns Arikos of the imminent consequences of her journey.

It wouldn’t be long before he took Geary for the permits.

Kat stifled a shudder at that. “Just remember one thing, Dream-Hunter. You get in my way and I will sacrifice you for my mission.”

He laughed low in his throat. “And to that all I can say is a resounding ‘ditto’. I won’t let you interfere with why I came here.”

As the story advances, Arik, continues to struggle with his reconnection to Geary. While he is slowly inching his way into her heart, he is becoming frustrated at the painstakingly slow progress. Not knowing how to properly interact with human females on earth (realizing that what they do in a dream is FAR different from how they react in reality), he struggles with his approach and her resistance.

Solin froze in the doorway as he heard her words.

“What did I miss?”

She turned on him. “Your brother is an absolute jerk. He just lifted my dress up. Here. In public.” And still Arik looked confused by her anger.

Disgusted with them both, Geary turned and stalked back toward the car.

Solin gaped at Arik. “What did you do?”

Arik held up his hands in frustration. “She kissed me. It turned me on, so I – ”

“No, you didn’t,” Solin snapped, interrupting him. “Arik, are you an idiot? You could have exposed us all.”

Rage flamed inside him at the insult. “It’s what we’ve done before when she’s gotten the permits in her dreams. She likes the way I touch her.”

“Yes. In dreams. This isn’t a dream. You’re in the human world and people don’t behave like that here. Now, Brother, you understand why I venture into the dream realm. There are certain behaviors and rituals you have to practice in this world. You don’t just eye a woman here and then jump her. Damn. You’re lucky she didn’t slap you or have you arrested.”

All of that, and we’ve barely reached a quarter way through the book yet!

While Arik and Geary get to know each other, he is torn between helping her discover what her whole family has strived and suffered for, while keeping her safe from those who want to keep her from it. That, in conjunction with their limited time together, and the eventual outcome of their union, certify that their adventure will definitely keep you entertained, and your adrenaline racing like it did for me!

A little sidenote: I adored Arik, but was left (at least in the beginning) somewhat nonplussed by Geary (come on! The man of her dreams literally falls into her lap, and she resists him at every turn?) I don’t know if I should give her “props” for her careful assimilation of every situation, or feel sad for her. Whatever her reasoning, she has more willpower than I! Butttt on the other hand… considering the danger her expedition has exposed her too, perhaps her sense of self-preservation is *slightly* warranted…

• Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, Book 1)
• Dragonswan (Dark-Hunter, Book 1.5)
• Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, Book 2)
• Night Embrace (Dark-Hunter, Book 3)
• Phantom Lover as found in Midnight Pleasures anthology
• Dance with the Devil (Dark-Hunter, Book 4)
• Kiss of the Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 5)
• Night Play (Dark-Hunter, Book 6)
• Winter Born as found in the  Stroke of Midnight anthology
• Seize the Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 7)
• Sins of the Night (Dark-Hunter, Book
• Second Chances (as found in the Dark-Hunter collectible booklet and also the Dark-Hunter companion)
• Unleash the Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 9)
• Dark Side of the Moon (Dark-Hunter, Book 10)
• A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher as found in the My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding anthology
• Until Death We Do Part as found in the Love at First Bite anthology
• Fear the Darkness (free e-book!)
• The Dream-Hunter (A Dream-Hunter Novel, Book 1)
• Devil May Cry (Dark-Hunter, Book 11)
• Upon The Midnight Clear (A Dream-Hunter Novel, Book 2)
• Dream Chaser (A Dream-Hunter Novel, Book 3)
• Acheron (Dark-Hunter, Book 12)
• One Silent Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 13)
• Shadow of the Moon as found in the Dead After Dark anthology
• Dream Warrior (Dream-Hunter Novels)
• Bad Moon Rising: A Dark-Hunter Novel (Dark-Hunter Novels) Dark-Hunter Book #14 (or #18 in the grand scheme of things  )
• Infinity: Chronicles of Nick (Nick’s book, but from the “teenage Nick” perspective – considered YA) – to be released June 8th 2010
• Invincible (Chronicles of Nick) expected release date Feb 1st 2011
• No Mercy (”Dev’s” book – Dark-Hunter book#15) – expected release date April 2011